Improved apparatus for filling containers with horticultural products and relative method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for filling containers with horticultural products, built and operating in such a manner as to utilize at least one horizontal transporting conveyor, a moving structure arranged at the output edge of said conveyor and provided with displacement and engagement means to incline said containers, through a partial rotation, from a first inclined position with respect to the horizontal plane, in which the mouth of the container remains contiguous with the output edge of the conveyor, and subsequent working positions in which the same container moves progressively through less inclined positions until it returns to the normal horizontal position. Said mobile structure includes a U-shaped oscillating frame whose open side is designed to position itself in front of said output edge of the transporting conveyor, and blocking means, typically shaped jaws, supported by said oscillating frame and suitable to selectively engage and disengage the outer perimeter of the container, so as to initially cause the container to rotate to a predetermined inclination, and subsequently return in reverse rotation to the normal position, in which the container is released and removed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for fillingcontainers, in particular a special type of such containers, used forthe final packaging of horticultural vegetable and/or fruit products ofsmall size, and relative method of operation.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known that in the field of packaging horticultural productsthere is an extensive use of types of containers that are filled indifferent ways according to both the type of product to be collected andthe characteristics of the containers themselves.

Since said products are very delicate and everything possible is done toprevent handling and moving them roughly, which would inevitably damageat least their outer appearance, which is important to classify thevalue of the same products, an established method is to transfer saidproducts through conventional transporting conveyors, which at the endof their travel unload them into the final containers.

Generally, said containers into which the products are unloaded have asignificant internal height, and thus it happens that at the end of theconveyor the products, which drop directly to the bottom of thecontainer fall through the entire height of the container, which meansthat in its fall the product naturally reaches a certain speed.

Since said horticultural products are very often intrinsically delicate,the impact caused by their fall damages them unacceptably; all this iswell known and therefore the subject will not be treated further.

To avoid this problem, a known method is to incline the containers atthe end of the transporting conveyor so that the individual products areprevented from dropping vertically, but are released from the conveyoron an upper edge of one of its walls, obviously inclined with respect tothe relative vertical position.

In effect, a vertical wall is turned into an inclined plane, over theupper edge of which is released the product, which thus rolls downwithout dropping to the bottom of the container.

This provides a simple and efficient solution to the problem of theproduct freely falling into the container.

The solution of inclining the container has been widely applied in thefield, as for example is cited in patents EP 0 641 716, EP 1 007 410 B1,EP 0 352 841 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 3,040,826, which are referred to forbrevity.

However, in the case of packaging for final distribution loosehorticultural products of small size such as cherry tomatoes, plums,cherries, etc., no large crates or bins, described in theabove-mentioned patents, are used, but small containers are mainly usedinstead, in general small boxes made of thermoformed plastic, not higherthan 20 cm, having walls that are very flexible and provide a minimalresistance to compression.

The present invention deals particularly with the filling of such smallboxes, although in general it can be used for cases or bins oftraditional type, and thus having a rigid structure and of largedimensions. Therefore, herein will be described an application aimed atsuch types of small boxes, although the invention may apply in generalto any other type of container.

For such specific application, the solutions described above are noteasily achieved due to two problems of different nature:

-   -   the first problem is due to the fact that the disclosed        apparatus requires, downstream of the transporting conveyor, a        considerable space for moving the boxes; however, in the case        involving the filling of plastic small boxes, the filling        operation is preferably, although not exclusively, carried out        in storerooms or places specialized for the purpose; in such        places, as in all industrial spaces, the available area must be        used in the most efficient and economic manner possible, and        therefore in the filling of the small boxes, which in the        prior-art methods is carried out with the apparatus facing the        product feeding conveyor, there is a substantially lowered        overall efficiency of the apparatus;    -   the second problem lies in the fact that the same prior-art        devices are rather slow, as they are designed to process boxes        of large size, but most of all they are complex and costly, both        in terms of construction and operation.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Thus it would be desirable—and it is in fact the main objective of thepresent invention—to provide a type of apparatus for filling smallcontainers, or also boxes or similar containers, with horticulturalproducts, that resolves the drawbacks described above and makes itpossible to rapidly fill a large number of small containers, thatrequires a minimum space, and that is very simple, economical andflexible to use for filling small containers of different sizes.

This objective is achieved with the type of apparatus provided andoperating so as to use at least one horizontal conveyor, a movingstructure arranged at the output edge of said conveyor and provided withdisplacement and engaging means for inclining, through a partialrotation, a container from a first inclined position with respect to thehorizontal plane, in which the rim of the container remains contiguousto the output edge of the conveyor, and subsequent working positions inwhich the same container is moved progressively through less inclinedpositions until it returns to the normal horizontal position, and inwhich said moving structure includes a U-shaped oscillating frame whoseopen side can be arranged in front of said output edge of the conveyor;blocking means are provided to be supported by said oscillating frameand suitable to selectively engage and disengage the outer perimeter ofthe container so as to initially rotate the container to apre-determined inclination and subsequently return it by reverserotation to the normal position, in which the container is released andremoved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Characteristics and advantages of the invention will become evident fromthe following description, given by way of non-limiting example, withreference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate separate perspective views, taken from the sameviewing position, of the inventive apparatus in seven subsequent stepsof operation;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, taken from a viewing position opposite tothe one of the previous figures, of the inventive apparatus in theoperating step of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view, taken from a viewing positionopposite to the one of FIG. 4, of the inventive apparatus in theoperating step of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view, from a viewing position oppositeto the one of FIG. 5, of the inventive apparatus in the operating stepof FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 illustrates the exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate two schematic elevational views and planeprojections on a vertical plane of a detail of the inventive apparatus,in two respective steps of operation;

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate two schematic plane views from above of aportion of the inventive apparatus in two subsequent steps of operationcorresponding respectively to FIGS. 12A and 12B.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, an apparatus for filling with loosehorticultural products each of a plurality of containers and/or smallboxes, preferably made of plastic, in succession comprises:

-   -   at least one transporting conveyor 1 that runs on a horizontal        plane on a closed path;    -   at least one moving structure arranged at the output edge 2 of        said conveyor 1, and provided with displacement and engaging        means that allow it to oscillate the container in an articulated        manner as it will be described later.

Said moving structure includes:

-   -   an oscillating frame 10 formed substantially in a “U” shape (see        FIGS. 13A and 13B) and in which the open side 11 is suitable to        position itself in front of said output edge 2 of said        transporting conveyor 1;    -   at least one, but preferably at least two blocking means 12, 13        supported by said oscillating frame 10.

The oscillating frame 10 is suitable to be rotated, by known means, in aplurality of reciprocally angular positions around a single axis “Z”integral with the apparatus and parallel to, and therefore integralwith, said output edge 2, and specifically:

-   -   from a first raised position, as in FIGS. 4 and 9, in which the        plane of the loading aperture “V” of the container is inclined,        at a maximum pre-defined angle “A”, with respect to the plane of        said conveyor 1, and with said loading aperture “V” remaining        contiguous to the output edge 2 of said conveyor;    -   to subsequent working positions in which said container moves        through progressively less inclined positions, until it reaches        the position of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, or substantially        horizontal (at the end or at the beginning of the filling step).

The blocking means 12 and 13, as shown, consist of respective partiallyconcave jaws, with the concave surface turned toward the inside of theoscillating frame 10 and are arranged at the opposite internal sides ofthe frame, and specifically at the two sides 10A and 10B that make upthe opposite arms of said oscillating frame 10 defined as “U” shaped.

Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment as shown in the figures,the assembly formed by the oscillating frame 10 and the jaws 12 and 13is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through thecentre line of the conveyor 1; the intersection of said vertical planewith said conveyor is shown in FIG. 1 by the cross-sectional line “X”.

FIGS. 13A and 13B, which illustrate schematically said two jaws 12, 13viewed from above, also show that each of them is provided, in therelative central part, with a rectilinear profile 12A and 13A; saidprofiles are shaped and dimensioned so that each jaw can adapt itselfaround a corresponding opposite vertical side 20A, 20B of a container 20inserted inside and in the central area of the oscillating frame 10.

Each of said jaws is provided with known displacement and engagementmeans, suitable to displace it, in a translational and rectilinearmanner, through respective paths P1, P2, from a first position definedhere as “open”, as in FIGS. 1, 12A and 13A, to a second position definedhere as “closed”, as in FIGS. 3, 12B and 13B.

In the “open” position said jaws are drawn back and displaced towardsaid respective opposite arms of the “U” on the oscillating frame 10,which leaves the container 20 completely free and disengaged from theoscillating frame 10 and from the two jaws, as in FIGS. 2, 6, 12A and13A; when said jaws are displaced to the “closed” position, they aredisplaced with a controlled and simultaneous, and preferablysymmetrical, movement, toward the centre, and they close in toward therespective sides 20A and 20B of the container 20, which is thus caughtbetween them; given the geometry of the components described andinvolved, and shown in the figures, it is evident that said jaws arealways displaced with a motion which is orthogonal to the direction ofmovement of the transporting conveyor 1, shown by said cross-sectionalline “X” in FIG. 13A.

Thus said jaws perform selectively and alternatively a rectilinearmotion, moving reciprocally closer to each other and reciprocally apartfrom each other.

The reciprocal dimensions and the geometry of said container and of saidjaws, and their relative movements, are such that when the containeritself is in a suitable raised position, which will be better detailedlater, the passage of said jaws from the “open” position to the “closed”position (see FIGS. 3, 12B, 13B) brings the jaws in contact with thesides 20A, 20B of the container in a particular position; in fact, asshown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the containers used in the apparatus of theinvention are empty parallelepiped containers, whose opposite sides 20A,20B are provided, on the respective upper edges, with respectiveengaging rims 20A-A and 20B-B configured as outwardly and horizontalprojections (with the container in a normal resting position on ahorizontal plane) of the respective sides.

Said engaging rims, which resemble typical “collars”, work thereforelike “handles” that are engaged by the respective jaws 12, 13 whichinsert immediately below the engaging rims and clasp them firmly.

In this operation, said jaws are limited to coming into contact with therespective sides 20A, 20B of the container 20 preventing to squeezethem, since the simple lifting of the jaws immediately brings therespective upper faces 12A, 13A (FIGS. 12A, 12B) into engagement withthe lower faces of the respective engaging rims 20A-A and 20B-B, whichin effect allows the lifting or partial rotation of the containerwithout squeezing it, which is in fact the desired effect.

Preferably, in order to actuate in a controlled mode the movement andsynchronism of said jaws, appropriate double-acting pneumatic orhydraulic cylinders 35, 36 (see FIGS. 1, 3) are arranged on saidoscillating frame 10; such double-acting pneumatic or hydrauliccylinders 35, 36 offer an improvement in the operating speed of the jaws12, 13 as well as a perfect synchronism of their movements, which isnecessary to prevent the possibility that an asymmetric displacement ofthe jaws causes a displacement of the container from the correctposition in the loading phase.

Advantageously, said oscillating frame 10 is operated in a rotationalmotion around said orthogonal axis “Z” by means of one or more hydrauliccylinders 40, 41, (see FIGS. 1, 4), preferably of double-acting type,each of which being engaged between a portion, preferably a rear portion40A, 40B, of said oscillating frame, and a respective resistance point40B, 41B, integral with the structure of said apparatus, as shown inFIGS. 1, 4 and 8.

Moreover, in order to pick said container 20 by selecting it from asuccession of similar containers, the apparatus includes lifting meansprovided with a substantially flat lifting surface 45, shown in FIGS. 4,8 and 9, arranged at and below said output edge 2 of said transportingconveyor 1 and suitable to selectively lift and lower one of saidcontainers and/or small boxes in a controlled manner.

Said lifting surface 45 is operated, with known means, so as to besupplied, in a lowered position, with a single container at a time bysuitable feeding means that supply said surface 45 with the individualseparate containers.

After said surface 45 is loaded with a single container, it is lifted toa level in which the respective engaging rims 20A-A and 20B-B rise up tothe level of said jaws 12, 13, and specifically up to the engaging levelas previously explained, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2.

In effect, said surface 45 forms a simple hoisting table that liftsevery container to a level suitable for the correct operation of saidoscillating frame 10; in fact, the oscillating frame, after having heldthe respective engaging rims 20A-A and 20B-B (FIG. 3) by means of saidjaws 12 and 13, is rotated toward the conveyor 1 so as to be set at thedesired inclination (FIG. 4); the filling of the container beginsimmediately after the start of rotation of the frame, and continuesduring the whole phase of rotation of the same and, if necessary, evenafter the container has been rotated to the stable position at itsmaximum inclination.

When the filling of the container is completed, the oscillating framereturns in reverse rotation to its initial position, in which saidcontainer rests again on the surface 45, as in FIG. 5; immediately afterthis, the jaws 12 and 13 open and free the container 20 from the frame10 (FIG. 6), and subsequently said surface 45 is lowered again to thestarting position (FIG. 7), from where the newly filled container isremoved, and in its place is brought an empty container to begin anotherfilling cycle.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate, from a different perspective angle, thesteps of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, respectively, and thus their detailedexplanation is omitted.

It will be readily understood by the skilled person that the basicfunction of said surface 45 is to bring each container in succession tothe working position, and thus it works as a “loader”; the fact that itworks only vertically is dictated by the requirement of taking up theleast possible useful space on the horizontal plane.

It has to be noted that the apparatus of the invention utilizes threeseparate mechanisms, each of which performing a separate function:

-   -   the oscillating frame 10 moves with a partial rotation, that is,        an “oscillation” about the “Z” axis integral with the apparatus;    -   the two jaws 12 and 13 move in synchronism with a reciprocal        movement apart from and toward each other, and are displaced        with respect to the opposite sides of said frame 10 by which        they are supported. Thus it can be said that said jaws can        perform a double movement: a movement of their own with respect        to the frame and a motion induced by the oscillation of the        frame with respect to the apparatus; however, for what concerns        the control of said jaws, their movement is a simple alternating        rectilinear movement of translation with respect to said frame        10 since they are supported by the frame 10;    -   the third movement regards the lifting/lowering of the lifting        surface 45. As explained above, said single functional        assemblies are provided with respective operating means, known        per se or explicitly described above.

However, in order to perform the general function required, saidfunctional assemblies must be able to sequence their operating steps ina logical manner, thus also achieving a more effective step-by-stepsynchronization.

For this purpose, the apparatus is provided with known command andcontrol means that process the control signals that must be sent to eachof said functional assemblies to implement the designated method, whichis made up of the following individual steps briefly described herebelowwith reference to the enclosed figures:

-   -   a) Loading the container 20 onto the lowered lifting surface 45,        FIG. 1;    -   b) Raising said lifting surface 45 and stopping it at the        predetermined level, FIG. 2;    -   c) Closing said jaws 12, 13 around the upper rims 20A-A and        20B-B of said container/small box 20, FIGS. 3, 8;    -   d) Rotating said oscillating frame 10 to a predetermined        inclination, FIGS. 4, 9;    -   e) Actuating said transporting conveyor 1 for a time depending        on at least one predefined external variable, or until a        predefined moment, so as to ensure the desired filling of the        container with the horticultural products, and subsequently        stopping the conveyor 1. Said predefined variable, or said        predefined moment, are implemented in a manner that is        functional only to the purpose of ensuring the filling of the        container; since they are per se known, they do not belong to        the present invention; for the purpose of general information        alone, it is pointed out that said predefined variable can be        based on:    -   a predefined time interval;    -   the volume of the products loaded into said container 20;    -   the weight of the products loaded into the container;    -   the length of the travel of said conveyor, wherein the container        is loaded between two subsequent stops;    -   a photocell connected to said conveyor, or a functionally        equivalent device, capable of measuring the filling level of the        container.

As mentioned above, the transporting conveyor can also start to fill thecontainer right at the start of its rotation phase:

-   -   f) Reverse rotation of the oscillating frame 10 to return to the        initial position, in which the bottom of the container rests        again on the surface 45, FIGS. 5, 10;    -   g) Opening said jaws 12, 13, FIG. 6;    -   h) Lowering said lifting surface 45, FIG. 7.

It will be noted that the function identified as “e” in the above listof steps, and which does not have a representative figure of itsown—that is, the programmed operation of the conveyor—is not a functionincluded among the first three listed above; nevertheless it has beenincluded because it must be sequenced and synchronized with the otherfunctional assemblies described, so as to be able to carry out all theactions necessary for the purpose of filling each container asdescribed; therefore this demonstrates the necessity that said commandand control means do not control only the three functional assembliesdescribed, but that they are integrated with the rest of the functionalcomponents of the whole apparatus.

In particular, the presence of means suitable to sense the presence, orthe absence of products on the transporting conveyor, especially meanslike the above-mentioned photocell, offers the possibility of having anadvantageous and improved functional mode; this consists of the factthat when said photocell senses the absence of products on the conveyor,the signal produced and transmitted by the same photocell can be used tointerrupt both the movement of the conveyor itself, and also, oralternatively, the rotational movement of the oscillating frame and thusof the respective container. In practice, if there is no productdetected on the conveyor, both the movement of the conveyor and themovement of the container can be temporarily stopped (as if placed onstand-by), until new product is sensed on the conveyor, which causes theautomatic resumption of operation of the complete apparatus.

It must also be made clear that the geometrical architecture, theinstallation and the functionality of said jaws 12 and 13 can be validlyand identically substituted by any means suitable to implement the samefunction, as for example a pair of tongs, or clamps, etc.

1. Apparatus for the filling with horti-fructural loose products of eachof a plurality in series of containers or small boxes, and comprising:at least one transporting conveyor moving on an horizontal plane with amotion on a closed path, at least a moving structure arranged at theoutput edge of said conveyor, and provided with displacement andengaging means able of oscillating in an articulated way said containerfrom: a first raised position wherein the plane of the loading apertureof said container is inclined, at a maximum pre-defined n angle, withrespect to the plane of said conveyor, said loading aperture maintainedcontiguous to said output edge of said transporting conveyor, tosuccessive working positions wherein said container takes progressivelyless inclined positions, until the horizontal position of said loadingaperture, wherein said conveyor, in said inclined positions of saidcontainer, is able of moving forward to said container so that, bygravity, said horti-fructural loose products fall into said container,wherein said moving structure comprises: an oscillating frame,substantially shaped as an “U”, whose open side is apt of being placedin front of said output edge of said transporting conveyer, blockingmeans engaged by said oscillating frame and able of selectively: - beingarranged, at least partially, around and into contact to the outerperimeter of said container, and of being disengaged from said outerperimeter.
 2. Apparatus according to claim wherein said blocking meansdo comprise: one or more jaws arranged inside said oscillating frame andable of being shifted with a translatory motion with respect to theframe itself and be engaged and selectively be disengaged in acontrolled and simultaneous way, and on the same direction but withopposed sense, against two opposed rims of said container, each of saidopposed rims being arranged on a respective plane substantially parallelto the motion direction of said transporting conveyor.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said jaws are partially concave to theinner portion of said oscillating frame, and are placed on the opposedsides of it.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said oscillatingframe is apt of rotating on an axis: orthogonal to said motion directionof said transporting conveyor, and basically firm to the position ofsaid outlet edge.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein saidoscillating frame is able to be rotated around said orthogonal axisthrough one or more hydraulic cylinders, preferably by double effect,each of which being engaged between a portion which preferably is a rearportion, of said oscillating frame, and a respective resistance point,which is solid to the structure of said apparatus.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein it comprises a lifting means: providedwith a lifting surface which is basically flat, arranged incorrespondence and below said output edge of said transporting conveyor,able of selectively lifting and lowering one of said containers to thelevel wherein the respective upper rims are raised to the level of saidjaws .
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein pneumatic or hydraulicmeans are arranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and in that saidmeans are mounted on said oscillating frame.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein it comprises command and control means of saidoscillating frame, of said jaws and of said lifting surface able ofacting them according to the sequence which includes the followingsteps: a) loading the container on said lifting surface when lowered, b)raising said lifting surface, and subsequent stopping it, c) closingsaid jaws around the upper rims of said container, d) rotating saidoscillating frame to a pre-determined inclination, e) acting saidtransportation conveyor for a definite time interval depending on atleast an external and pre-defined variable, and successive stopping ofsaid conveyor, f) reverse rotation of said oscillating frame to theinitial position, g) opening of said jaws, h) lowering of said liftingsurface, i) unloading said container from said lifting surface. 9.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said external and pre-definedvariable is, as alternative: a pre-defined time interval, the volume ofthe products loaded into said container, the weight of the productsloaded into said container, the length of the path of said conveyor,whose load is introduced into said container between successive stops, aphotocell or a functionally equivalent device, able of measuring thefilling level of the container.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein it comprises command and control means able: of activating themotion of said conveyor at the beginning of the rotation of saidoscillating frame, and of causing the activation of said hydraulic meansso as said oscillating frame is progressively rotated towards thestarting position during the operation of said conveyor.
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the operation of said conveyor and/or therotational motion of said oscillating frame are automatically madedependent on the detection of the presence/absence of such products onthe conveyor itself.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein itcomprises a lifting means: provided with a lifting surface which isbasically flat, arranged in correspondence and below said output edge ofsaid transporting conveyor, able of selectively lifting and lowering oneof said containers to the level wherein the respective upper rims areraised to the level of said jaws.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 3,wherein it comprises a lifting means: provided with a lifting surfacewhich is basically flat, arranged in correspondence and below saidoutput edge of said transporting conveyor, able of selectively liftingand lowering one of said containers to the level wherein the respectiveupper rims are raised to the level of said jaws.
 14. Apparatus accordingto claim 4, wherein it comprises a lifting means: provided with alifting surface which is basically flat, arranged in correspondence andbelow said output edge of said transporting conveyor, able ofselectively lifting and lowering one of said containers to the levelwherein the respective upper rims are raised to the level of said jaws.15. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it comprises a liftingmeans: provided with a lifting surface which is basically flat, arrangedin correspondence and below said output edge of said transportingconveyor, able of selectively lifting and lowering one of saidcontainers to the level wherein the respective upper rims are raised tothe level of said jaws.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 2, whereinpneumatic or hydraulic means are arranged, which are able of acting saidjaws, and in that said means are mounted on said oscillating frame. 17.Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein pneumatic or hydraulic means arearranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and in that said means aremounted on said oscillating frame.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 4,wherein pneumatic or hydraulic means are arranged, which are able ofacting said jaws, and in that said means are mounted on said oscillatingframe.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein pneumatic orhydraulic means are arranged, which are able of acting said jaws, and inthat said means are mounted on said oscillating frame.
 20. Apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein pneumatic or hydraulic means are arranged,which are able of acting said jaws, and in that said means are mountedon said oscillating frame.